Hair curler



June 22, 1943." c, w RENSTROM 511 L 2,322,253

HAIR CURLER Filed Aug. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l gn mrms carmkawzmw June c.vw. REILQSTROM arm. I I 2,322,253

HAIR CURLER Filed Aug. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 p v 3 vyuQ/WMS Carl WRGKSZ'J'OIIL Ernest hfiffuuuub Patented June 22, 1943 UNHTEVD STATES ATE? GFFICE HAIR CURLER Carl W. Renstrom and Ernest liofrmann,

The present invention relates to hair curlers and the method of assembling the same.

The hair curler of the present invention is of the general type having a substantially tubular member or mandrel, a substantially semi-tubular clamping member, and a wire loop pivotally connecting the mandrel and clamp and constituting a clasp.

An object of the invention is the provision of an improved curler in which the mandrel and clamp are formed of'molded plastic material and havecooperating elements which permit them to be easily and quickly assembled upon a closed wire loop clasp.

A further object is the provision of an improved and simplified method of assembly, thus permitting the use of unskilled labor.

Another object is to form the molded p1astic mandrel and clamp with slotted elements which readily accommodate the wire loop clasp. The slightly resilient characteristics of the plastic material are utilized in forming the slots in the several elements by providing the slots with narrow or restricted portions which allow the, wire loop to be forced past these portions of the slots, thereby detachably and pivotally connecting the mandrel and clamp to the wire loop and to each other. In the present invention the Wire loop clasp comprises the pivot about which the mandrel and clamp rotate and constitutes with the slotted elements of these members, the only means for maintaining the curler in operative assembled relation. Furthermore, after the wire loop is forced past the restricted portions of the several slots, no additional steps are necessary to anchor the members in operative position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will nowbe more fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2'is a longitudinal sectional view of the curler of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the wire loop clasp partially attached to the clamp.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the different elements assembled with the exception of the V-shaped spring,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the curler with clasp in raised position.

Figure '7 is a perspective View of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the curler of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the mandrel.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the clasp attached to the mandrel, and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the assembled curler with the clasp in raised position.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, the numeral l9 designates the curler consisting of a substantially tubular barrel or mandrel II, a substantially semi-tubular clamp 12 and a closed wire loop l3 to which the mandrel and clamp are detachably and pivotally connected. The'mandrel and clamp are provided with the usual type of handles [4 and I5, respectively, adjacent one end of the curler and a substantially V-shaped'spring I6 engages the inner faces of these handles andnormally retains the major portion of the clamp in longitudinal contact with the mandrel. As is usual in this type of curler, a spherical roller or other suitable element i1 is secured to the outer end of the wire loop clasp and is adapted to engage the outer end of the mandrel II to detachably position the clasp in operative position, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The elements of the curler, as thus far described, areof the conventional type, and the present invention consists primarily in forming the mandrel and clamp of molded plastic material and of providing a simplified means and method for easily and quickly assembling these elements. In this connection, the clamp 12 is provided with a laterally projecting lug I8 which is located adjacent the inner end of the handle 15. This lug is preferably divided by a longitudinal extending'opening Hi to form a pair of spaced ears 20. The outer faces of these ears are spaced inwardly from the sides or longitudinal edges of the clamp and the portions of the clamp which extend outwardly from the ears are curved to form arcuate bearing surfaces 2!, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

Each ear 2!] is provided with an open-ended slot 22 which is provided with an enlarged entrance portion and a restricted intermediate portion 23 which is of less width than the extreme inner end of the slot. This restricted portion of each slot 22 is also of slightly less width than the diameter of the inner straight portion 24 of the wire loop clasp, whereby this portion 24 of the clasp may be inserted into the enlarged opening of each slot, forced past the restricted portion 23, and finally detachably locked or held at the extreme inner ends of the slots in the two ears 23. The extreme inner ends of the slots 23 are of substantially the same dimensions as the diameter of the inner portion 24 of the clasp and form a bearing therefor, so that either the clasp may be freely rotated about the mandrel, or the mandrel rotated about the clasp The mandrel H is provided with a pair of spaced ears 25 which are positioned at the inner end of the handle 14 and project laterally of the mandrel. As shown in Figure 5, when the different elements are assembled, the ears 25 straddle or encompass the ears 20 and the greater portion of the edge of each ear is curved, as at 28, and engages one of the arcuate portions 2 of the clamp. Each ear 25 is provided with a rear- Wardly extending slot 21. This slot, similar to slot 22, is provided with a restricted portion 28' of a width slightly less than the diameter of the portion 24 of the wire loop clasp. In other words, the slots 27 are adapted to receive and detachably retain the portion 24 of the clasp in operative position. The curved or arcuate portions 2! and 23 of the mandreland clamp are substantially concentric with the inner ends of their respective slots, so that when the clasp is attached thereto, the curved portion 26 of the ears 25 are in contact with the arcuate portions 2| of the mandrel I2. When the handles l4 and I5 are grasped and forced toward each other, these curved portions 2| and 26 slide one upon the other to assist in the opening and closing action of the mandrel and clamp.

The method of assembling the curler members or elements is as follows: The barrel or mandrel is firmly grasped and held by the operator, and then the wire loop clasp is positioned so that the straight portion 24 will enter the enlarged entrance portions of the slots of the ears 25. The portion 24 may then be easily and quickly snapped into place by exerting a slight pressure on the clasp. This will force the wire 24 past the restricted portions 28 of the slots 21 and thus detachably and pivotally lock the mandrel on the clasp. The next step consists in grasping the clamp I2 and placing it so that the lug I8 is encompassed by the ears 25 and with the portion 24 located in the enlarged openings of the slots 22. A slight forward pressure on the clamp will snap the wire 24 past the restricted portions 23 of the slots 22 whereby the clamp is also detachably and pivotally locked to the clasp and in operative relation to the mandrel.

After the several elements have been assembled, as above described, the final step in the assembling method is performed by compressing the substantially V-shaped spring l6 and forcing it between the handles l4 and I5 until the two ends of the spring slip past the outer end walls of the handles. When this is accomplished, the base of the spring will be adjacent the ears of the mandrel and clamp, and the outer ends of the spring will engage the inner surfaces of the end walls of the handles, as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6. 'The action of the spring i3 is to normally force the clamp into engagement with the mandrel. Obviously, by placing the thumb and forefinger on the handle portions l4 and I5, the clamp and mandrel may be separated against the tension of the spring Hi.

It will be observed that the slots 22 of the ears 26 open forwardly of the clamp, while the slots 21 of the mandrel open rearwardly of the latter. Thus, the action of the spring It tends to retain the straight wire portion 24 of the clasp at the extreme inner ends of the slots and cooperates with the restricted portions of the slots to detachably secure the several elements of the curler together.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 12 of the drawings, the numeral 29 designates a modified form of curler consisting of a substantially tubular barrel or mandrel 33, a substantially semi-tubular clamp 3| and a closed Wire loop clasp 32. As in the other form of the invention, this clasp is provided at one end With a substantially spherical member 33 adapted to engage the forward end of the mandrel 33. The clasp 32 is also provided with a straight inner portion 34 constituting a pivot for the mandrel and clamp.

Referring particularly to Figures 10 and 11, the inner end of the mandrel is reduced in diameter and provided with a pair of flattened faces 35. Each of these faces has formed therein an open-ended slot 36 which is provided with an intermediate restricted portion 31. This restricted portion 3-! is of slightly less width than the diameter of the straight portion 34 of the clasp, so that the clasp may be forced past these restricted portions when assembling the clasp to the mandrel. This arrangement, therefore, is somewhat similar to that disclosed in the form shown in Figures 1 to 6, in that the mandrel may be detachably and pivotally connected to the clasp 32.

The clamp 3| is provided with a pair of ears 38 adjacent one end thereof which project laterally of the clamp. These ears, see Figures '7 and 12, are provided each with a forwardly extending open-ended slot 39 having a restricted portion ii! of a width slightly less than the diameter of the portion 34 of the clasp.

In assembling the several elements of the curler, the outer end of the mandrel is preferably grasped in the hand of the operator and the portion 34 of the clasp inserted in the slots 39. By exerting a slight'pressure on the clasp, the portion 34 is snapped or forced past the restricted portions 38 whereby the mandrel and clasp are detachably and removably secured to each other.

The next step in the method of assembly consists in placing the ears 38 of the clamp so that they straddle the flat faces 35 of the mandrel. In this position, the enlarged entrance portions of the slots 39 initially engage the portion 34 of the clasp exterior of the mandrel. Thereafter,

by exerting a slight pressure forwardly on the rear end of the clamp 3|, the clasp will be forced past the restricted portions 48 of the slot 39, so that the clamp 3| will be pivotally and detachably connected to the mandrel and the clasp.

t will be observed that the slots 36 of the man-' drel open rearwardly, while the slots 39 of the clamp open forwardly. This clearly facilitates the method of assembly of the parts, since it permits the clamp 3| to be easily and quickly attached to the clasp after the mandrel has been secured thereto.

While the above described methods of assembly are the preferred ones, it is to be understood that the steps may be reversed, if desired; that is,

the clamp l2 may be first applied to the clasp I3, and the clamp 3| initially secured to the clasp 32. It is to be further understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown in the drawings and described in the specification, and that the phraseology employed in the speci fication is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

We claim:

1, A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material having an opening adjacent one end and an open-ended slot connecting said opening, said slot having a restricted portion of less width than the opening, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material having an opening and an openended slot connecting said opening, said clamp lot having a restricted portion of less width than the opening, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the openings in said mandrel and clamp and of a diameter substantially equal to said openings whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in said mandrel and clamp.

2. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material having an opening adjacent one end and an openended slot connecting said opening, said slot having a restricted portion of less width than the opening, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material having an opening and an open-ended slot connecting said opening, said clamp slot having a restricted portion of less width than the opening, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the openings in said mandrel and clamp and of a diameter substantially equal to said openings whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in said mandrel and clamp, the restricted portions of said slots being normally located on opposite sides of the pivot point to thereby provide an additional lock against accidental detachment of the mandrel and clamp from the wire loop clasp.

3. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material having a pair of aligned longitudinally extending openended slots at one end, each having an intermediate restricted portion, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material having a pair of laterally extending ears adjacent one end, each ear having an open-ended slot aligned with the slot in the other ear and provided with an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the mandrel and clamp and of greater diameter than the width of the restricted portions of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in said mandrel and clamp.

A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material having a pair of aligned longitudinally extending openended slots at one end, each having an intermediate restricted portion, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material having a pair of laterally extending ears adjacent one end, each ear having an open-ended slot aligned with the slot in the other ear and provided with an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the mandrel and clamp and of greater diameter than the width of the restricted portions of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in said mandrel and clamp, the slots in the ears of said clamp extending longitudinally thereof and having their open ends facing toward the front of the clamp whereby the restricted portions of said mandrel and clamp slots will be located on opposite sides of the pivot point when the curler is in operative hair engaging position.

- 5. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material, each having an ear projecting laterally thereof adjacent one end thereof, each ear having an open-ended slot provided with an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the mandrel and clamp and of greater diameter than the width of the restricted portion of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in said mandrel and clamp.

6. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material, one of said members having an ear projecting laterally thereof adjacent one end of the member and located inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof, the other member having a pair of spaced ears projecting laterally therefrom adjacent one end thereof and straddling the ear of the other member, each ear having an open-ended slot provided with an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the ears and of greater diameter than the Width of the restricted portions of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in the ears.

'7. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material, a substa'ntially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material, said mandrel having a pair of spaced ears projecting laterally therefrom adjacent one end thereof, said clamp having an ear projecting laterally thereof adjacent one end and located inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof and between the ears of the mandrel, each ear having an open-ended slot provided with an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the ears and of greater diameter than the width of the restricted portions of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in the ears.

8. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material, said mandrel having a pair of spaced ears projecting laterally therefrom adjacent one end, said clamp having an ear projecting laterally thereof adjacent one end and located inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof and between the ears of the mandrel, the ears of the mandrel and clamp each provided with an openended slot extending longitudinally thereof and having an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the ears and of greater diameter than the Width of the restricted portions of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in the ears, the slots in the mandrel ears opening rearwardly and the slot in the clamp ear opening forwardly, whereby the restricted portions of said mandrel and clamp slots will be located on opposite sides of the pivot point when the curler is in operative hair engaging position.

9. A hair curler comprising a substantially tubular mandrel of molded plastic material, a substantially semi-tubular clamp of molded plastic material, said mandrel having a pair of spaced ears projecting laterally therefrom adjacent one end, said clamp having a lug projecting laterally thereof adjacent one end and located inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof and between the ears of the mandrel, said lug having a central longitudinally extending opening forming a pair of ears, each provided with an openended slot extending longitudinally thereof and having an intermediate restricted portion, the ears of said clamp each being provided with an open-ended slot having an intermediate restricted portion, and a closed wire loop clasp having a portion engaging the slots in the ears and of greater diameter than the width of the restricted portions of the slots, whereby the clasp is detachably and pivotally connected to said mandrel and clamp and retained in operative relation thereto by the restricted slots in the ears, certain of the edges of each ear of the mandrel being curved to form a peripheral bearing portion concentric to the pivot point of the curler, and said clamp having arcuate portions on opposite sides of the lug and slidably engageable with the curved portions of the mandrel ears to facilitate pivotal movement of the clam relative to the mandrel.

CARL W. RENSTROM.

ERNEST HOFFMANN. 

